An Organic Farmer ensures that the food you eat is the safest and most potent form of medicine by using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. Continue Reading
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Explore Career An Organic Farmer ensures that the food you eat is the safest and most potent form of medicine by using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
What are the typical responsibilities of an Organic Farmer?
An Organic Farmer would typically need to:
Being an Organic Farmer is hard work, and most of the work is done outdoors. You also spend some time indoors addressing the administrative side of the business, which can include conducting internet research as well as reviewing and paying bills. You may spend some time traveling to participate in farmers' markets, conferences, and workshops.
There is a wide variety of ways that Organic Farmers dress, but the commonality in farmer dress code is being prepared for anything! Your clothes may get ruined, so the farm clothing budget is typically pretty low for everyday clothes. Organic Farmers wear older clothes, hand-me-downs, or shirts that agribusinesses have passed out at some point.
Organic Farmers work from dawn to dusk, rain or shine, and work even longer during plantings and harvestings. On small farms, Organic Farmers have lesser staff and more diverse, wide-ranging responsibilities, making for longer days and little, if any, time off.
About 70 percent of Organic Farmers are self-employed. Those who seek employment elsewhere work in the area of crop-production management, while others are responsible for managing livestock and dairy production. Employee Organic Farmers may work independently or oversee the work of other farmworkers and staff.
Organic Farmers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organizations are a key resource for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks great on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as an Organic Farmer.
Organic Farmers are not represented by unions. Professional organizations invest in agricultural research to solve societal challenges, to foster the widespread adoption of organic farming systems, and to promote and protect organic farming with a unifying voice. They serve and engage diverse members from farm to marketplace, link volunteers with Organic Farmers, and build a global community to strengthen sustainable agricultural practices.
Organic Farmers need to have an intimate knowledge of the land and soil they work with. Look for local programs to help budding Organic Farmers in your location. Experience working on a farm under the guidance of a veteran farmer is desirable, and growing up in a farm family is a distinct advantage.
Aspiring Organic Farmers can begin by obtaining entry-level positions with farms, nurseries, landscaping companies, or many other businesses that rely on working the land. Some farms offer formal internships to hopeful Organic Farmers looking for hands-on experience in Farming and horticulture.
Other ways to find the best ways of learning Organic Farming is to get a job on an Organic Farm, where you can get hands-on experience with farming processes and get accustomed to working outside. You will also learn about the different types of soil, preparing the soil for planting, tilling, planting, controlling pests, irrigating crops, harvesting crops, taking care of livestock, and working outdoors in all kinds of weather.
Take advantage of any hands-on and extra-curricular farming activities offered at school. Some schools may have an Organic Farming club designed for students who wish to volunteer and help grow different organic foods. Students may also have the opportunity to sell the food they grow at a farm stand located on the campus.
Although not a prerequisite, many Organic Farmers choose to go to university and get an associate or a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Organic Agriculture to learn about food science, economics, farm marketing, crop production, and soil management. Some go on to get a master's degree in business administration (MBA) for Agriculture.
The developing trend of growing organic foods has led governments to get Organic Farmers compulsorily certified by an accredited agency. Organic Farmers who are not certified cannot label their foods as organic. Usually, the government provides an organic certification standard adopted by state government agencies and private businesses for certifying farmers.
Once Organic Farmers choose a certifying agency, they will need to apply detailed information about the specific farming practices and waste management procedures of the individual farm. Once the application is complete, someone will be assigned to complete an on-site inspection to ensure that the farm is legitimate.
Organic Farmers must figure out how to deal with non-organic contamination and other potential crop-threatening events before applying. Planning for these requirements early on by creating a production plan could make it easier to complete the certification process.
The path of advancement in the Organic Farming business depends on the farmer. Organic Farmers who own or lease their land can expand business by increasing the marketing of their goods or finding a popular niche market. Advancement can come in the form of expanding into different products (such as offering baked goods in addition to produce), increasing the size of the farm and the crops, and adding more staff.
Participating in more farmers' markets, starting up a community-supported aspect of the farm, creating business relationships with local restaurants, starting a restaurant on or near the farm, and government service as a representative is also indicative of career progression.
Advancement may also take a more meditative, educational path which may lead to writing books and articles, or teaching, lecturing, and mentoring young farmers and students. Keep in mind that many of the above activities can still be combined with being a part-time Organic Farmer.
Advancement can also be structured. You may begin as a volunteer and work your way up to becoming an intern or apprentice before becoming a full-fledged Organic Farmer. You may be promoted to Farm Manager and from thence to a State Level Organic Farm Specialist.
Individuals with a passion for organic farming and the technical know-how and experience will have the best chances of making it big in this field.
If you enroll in a management trainee scheme, your training will be structured and comprehensive. In other situations, your training will mainly be on the job.
Various external courses help Organic Farmers with initial training and continuing professional development (CPD) to stay up-to-date with legislation and developing technology. Courses relevant to farm management include farm conservation, animal health and welfare, bookkeeping and tax, and coaching for a farming business.
An Ancient Practice
Organic farming is an ancient practice, dating back to early civilizations, and was the only form of agriculture for thousands of years. Its distinction as "organic" was not needed, nor made, until the early 20th century, when another type of agricultural practice emerged that relied on synthetic fertilizers and chemicals to improve crop production.
Use of Harmful Chemicals
Chemicals that were developed for use in World War II were adapted after the war for use in crop production to combat mosquitoes and other pests. It was well into the 70s before people learned that DDT, a colorless, chlorine-containing pesticide, killed several bird species and negatively impacted humankind.
Organic / Sustainable / Natural
With "organic" becoming more closely associated with a corporate logo and large agribusiness, many small- and medium-sized Organic Farms are instead using the words sustainable and natural to describe their farming practices.
What is organic farming?
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements defines organic farming as "a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than inputs with adverse effects. Organic Agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and good quality of life for all involved."
Organic Farmers either own the farmland they work, rent the land from the owner, or lease it through a land trust. They may come from a long line of farmers, or they may be new to the business.
Benefits of organic farming
Typically, Organic Farms require less up-front capital investment than a conventional farm, without needing to buy chemical fertilizers. They take less of a blow if the crop yield is low in a particular year. Avoiding the use of harsh chemicals keeps the soil rich, leading to greater biodiversity as well as produce with better nutrition and taste than conventionally grown crops.
Despite a lower yield sometimes, there are higher profit margins from selling organic produce for 20 to 30 percent more than conventional produce. So, with less start-up debt and higher profits, an Organic Farm may be successful faster.
Organic farming also protects the environment by avoiding toxic run-off into water sources and not releasing toxic gases into the air. Since organically grown food is often purchased and consumed locally, transportation costs, fossil fuel usage, and harmful greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Soil Management
The expression, “feed the soil, not the plant” is a familiar refrain among Organic Farmers. A big part of organic farming involves soil management through crop rotation (also known as crop sequencing). To keep the soil fertile and help control pests and diseases, Organic Farmers will use the same farmland to plant a different crop in a schedule of either successive seasons or every few years.
Composting
Composting is also part of the job description. Compost, or "green manure," is a natural fertilizer that can be created by mixing such things as decaying vegetables and food wastes, paper and yard wastes (such as grass clippings), and animal waste (manure). It does not have a pretty smell, but the combination is rich in minerals that help fertilize and condition the soil.
What Keeps Organic Farmers Busy?
Depending on the size of the farm, Organic Farmers are responsible for preparing the land, mechanical tilling, weeding, mulching, planting, fertilizing (composting), cultivating and harvesting, and this is by no means an all-inclusive list. Once the harvest is over, Organic Farmers make sure that the product is appropriately packaged, stored, and marketed. Many Organic Farmers participate in farmers' markets, and while this boosts sales, it also adds to the farmers' workload.
Planting Cover Crops
During cold seasons, Organic Farmers may plant cover crops to provide ground cover, prevent erosion, and improve soil properties. Cover crops may be wheat, oats, rye, or can even be legumes, such as clover and alfalfa.
Other Organic Products
Organic Farmers might also produce organic products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. All organic dairy products and eggs must come from animals fed organic feed and are provided with access to open space where they can comfortably roam and enjoy the sunlight. Organic livestock and poultry may not be given antibiotics, hormones, or medications, but they may be vaccinated against disease. An organic operation is between 25%-30% more labor-intensive than a standard operation. Therefore, Organic Farms need to market their products accordingly.
Dressing for Success on the Farm
Since there is no set schedule on the farm, with equipment breaking down and animals needing help giving birth, the key to dressing for success on the farm is being prepared for any job that pops up throughout the day. Long pants are a must on the farm because farmers’ legs need protection from scratchy bales of hay and straw, when walking through weeds or growing crops, and sunburn. A pair of gloves comes in handy for extra dirty jobs and hand protection. Organic Farmers are given a lot of clothing when buying supplies, farm equipment, building something new or buying inputs.
Organic Farming involves searching for and discovering nature’s pathways instead of the formulaic approach of chemical farming. The appeal of Organic Farming is boundless: this mountain has no top, this river has no end...
An Organic Farmer is the best peacemaker today because there is more violence, more destruction, more wars through a violent agricultural system. Making the shift to an agriculture of peace is what organic farming achieves.
Organic products are always free-range, but free-range products are not still organic. Free-range eggs may come from hens fed antibiotics, unnatural diets and substances to brighten yolk color.
What do Organic Farmers do?
An Organic Farmer would typically need to:
Accredited
$82,208
